Flue cutter



May 2, 1933- E. w. CROSBY ET AL.

FLUE CUTTER Filed April 18, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Edward W Ernsh Bhesfer' U.V. Fanshier BY/2 a M ATTORNE May 2, 1933.

E. w. CROSBY ET AL 7,178

FLUE CUTTER Fi-led-April 18, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill . INVENTORS. Edward w. fi'r'os'h'l EHESTET U-YFa-nshiar BY W W ,Q/Zmu m ORNEYS.

Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES ,FJP'IATENT OFFICE EDWARD W. CROSBY OF W'HITTENBURG, TEXAS, AND CHESTER O. V. FANSEIER, 01E

BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNORS T IHTLLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY, OF BABTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA, A CORPORATION FLUE CUTTER Application filed April 18,

The present invention relates to flue cutters and the primary objectof the invention is to provide an improved front'and f1ue cutter of e'xtremel simple construction, strong in its mechanical make up, and a cut ting toolof this character which may be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flue cutter embodying an adjustable gauge or flue sheet stop adjustable 'to-- wardand from the cutting disc, together with positive feed means forautomatic projection and retraction of the cutting disc, said feed means being movable by the same threads which permit adjustment of the gauge or flue sheet stop.

A further ob'ect of the invention is to provide a flue cutter which may be either power driven or. hand operated and embodying a constructionpermitting ready and easy as sembling and renewing of parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming. a part of this specification and 1n which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved flue cutter and showing the cutting disc in a retracted position. p I

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thru the cutter and showing the same in position for use. Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 83 of Figure 2. I v Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. j t

Figure 5,-6 and .7. are-transverse sections on the respective lines in- Figure 2. Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vation showing the guide opening for the. cutting disc. i y

In the drawings and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A designates a tube sheet thru which the boiler tube B projects to .be cut off for bead ingover by the improved fluecutter C. r Y The flue cutter C comprises a tubular housing or casing being of such external diam- 1932. Serial N0. 606,014.

eter to be slidablyinserted in the endof the tube B and including separable front and rear tubular sectionsfi and 7 respectively.-

The rear or main tubular casing section 7 which has a length considerably greater than that of the front casing section 6, is

provided throughout the major portion of its length with the external screw threads 8 providing a threaded casing portion for vrethe channel terminating inwardly of the This radially opening channel 11 is of substantially rec-v ends of the core member.

tangular shape in cross section as clearly .shown in Figure 7 and at its rear end opens into a transverse passageway 12 formed diametrically thru the core member. Secured to the forward end of the core member as by a cap screw 13 is an end plate 14 having. its peripheral portion overlying the forward end of the front casing section 6. The

rear end portion of the core member beyond the passageway 12 is formed with an opening 15 for receiving a square shank 16 adapted to receive the socket of the driving means for rotating the cutter. A set screw 17 threaded thru the casing section 7 into engagement with the rear portion of the .core

member serves to prevent rotation of the core member within the section 7. This set screw 17 and the end plate 14 also serve to retain the sections 6 and 7 in abutting relation at the meeting line 18.

Referring now to the gauge or flue sheet stop D for gauging the distance at which the tube B will be severed beyond the outer face of the tube sheet A, the same comprises a gauge sleeve 20 being internally threaded for threading along the fine threads 8 of the casing section 7 The forward portion of the sleeve 20 is formed with an external oircumferentially extending groove 21, while the rear portion of the sleeve is formed with an internal annular groove 22.

Adapted for mounting upon the forward portion of the gauge sleeve 20 is a gauge member including a ring 23 rotatable upon the forward portion of the gauge sleeve and held for rotation thereon by screws 24 having plain inner end portions for fitting in,

the external annular groove 21. Projecting forwardly from the ring portion 23 are stop arms 25 which are intended to engage the outer face of the sheet A for limiting insertion of the tool into the tube 13. These stop arms 25 as will be observed in Figure 2 engage the sheet A outwardly of the boiler tube, the boiler tube extending between the arms and the tubular casing 5. Arranged within the internal annular groove 22 and conforming to the curvature thereof is a" clamping shoe 26 which is threaded along its inner concaved side to fit the threads 8.

A clamping screw 27 threaded radially thru 27. The gauge ring 23 is preferably formed with a step as shown in Figure 2.where it receives the ring 23 so as to cut down the over-all diameter of the flue sheet stop and permit use of the tool where the boiler tubes are placed relatively close. The'stop arms 25 will not be rotated during the cutt ng o oration owing to the rotatable mounting o? the ring portion 23 upon the gauge sleeve 20 iMounted for longitudinal sliding movement in the channel 7 is a traveller or feed bar 30 provided adjacent its forward end with a wedge portion 31 providing a ca'm surface 32 for engagement with the inclined inner end of a radially movable cutter block 33. The cutter block 33 is connected by a locking dovetail joint to the wed e portion 31 whereby the cutter block will have positive sliding movement radially of the tool upon longitudinal movement of the traveller 30 in either direction longitudinally of the tool. This dovetail connection between the wedge and cutter block 31 and 33 respectively insures retraction of the cutter block. The traveller bar 30 as will be observed in Figures 6 and 7 is of rectangular shape at its central ortion and has a snug sliding fit in the c annel 11 so as to be rotated upon rotation of the core member 10.

Referring now to the feed means E' for automatic projection and retraction of the cutting means upon rotation-of the tool during the cutting operation, the same is adapted to cooperate with the threads 8 providing the shoe 26 is to adjustment for the gauge or flue sheet stop I). This cutter feed means E comprises a feed or travelling nut 35 for threading along the threads 8 and a flanged sliding sleeve 36 having a plain opening for sliding move- .ment along the threads 8. Carried by the travelling nut is a coupling collar 37 havmg an inturned annular flange 38 at its rear edge for engaging over the outturnedflangc 39 of the sl ding sleeve 36 whereby the sliding sleeve is connected for movement with the travelling nut. The coupling collar 37 is connected at one point to the travelling nut 35 by a suitable screw 40 and at a point diametrically opposite to the screw 40 by a handle 41 threaded thru the collar into the nut and projecting radially of the tool. This manner of connecting the sliding sleeve 36 to the travelling nut 35 permits relative rotary movement of the members 35 and 36.

v Th threaded portion 8 is provided with diametrically disposed, longitudinally formed slots 42 for receiving a coupling pin 44 having its ends suitably anchored in the sliding ring 36. This coupling pin 44 extends thru the transverse passageway 12 and projects thru an opening 45 provided in the rear end portion of the traveller or feed bar 30 whereby the coupling pin imparts longitud nal movement to the traveller as the feed nut 35 is threaded along the threaded casing portion 8. This coupling pin 44 as will be observed is flattened longitudinally of the tool and this formation of the couplin pin permits of the slot 42 being forme relatively narrow so as to not materially reduce the strength of the tubular casing section 7. Thus the coupling pin 44 aside from connecting the traveller bar 30 to the feed means for longitudinal movement thereby also serves to prevent relative rotation of the core member 10 within the sectional tubular casing 5.

. The meeting ends of the casing sections 6 and 7 are notched out as at and the core member 10 is provided with extensions 51 which extend into the notches 50. These extensions 51 as will be observed in Figures 1 and 8 extend across the meeting edges 18 "of the casing sections and act as locks to which opens between the locking extensions 51. This guide way 54 serves to slidably guide the cutter block 33 radially of the axis of the tool. Mounted between the arms 55 formed by bfurcating the outer end of the cutter block 33 is a cutting disc 56 mounted to rotate on an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool. The cutting disc 56has a diameter greater than the width of the cutter block 33 and the guide way 54 is slotted as at 58 to accommodate loo the cutting edges of the cutting disc and allow for the arms 55 to have bearing contact with the extensions 51 at the outward limit of moven'rent of the cutting block; \Vhen the tool is assembled, the cutting disc 56 aligns with the meeting line 18 of the casing sections 6 and 7 so that the line 18 acts as a gauge. line for co-acting with the forward ends of the stop arms 25 to gauge the distance from the face of the tube sheet at which the boiler tubes will be severed.

A pair of thrust rollers 60 are provided at the meet ng ends of the casing sections 6 and 7 for opposing the thrust of the cutting disc 56 and these rollers are mounted in re- Cesses 61 formed in the core member 10.

'The rollers are provided at each end with a In use, the travelling nut 35 is threaded forwardly along the threaded portion 8 for retracting the cutter block 33 to a point where the cutting disc 56 is moved below the circumferential surface of the casing 5. The gauge or flue sheet stop B isthen rotated along the threaded portion 8 and the forward ends of the stop arms 25 set with respect to the circumferential line 18 which aligns with the cutting disc 56 for determining the amount of projection of the boiler tube beyond the flue sheet. The clamping screw 27 is then tightened for clamping the shoe 26 against the casing to prevent further rotation of the gauge sleeve 20 along the casing. The forward end of the tool is then inserted into the boiler tube until the arms 25 engage the tube sheet A and the tool is now in the proper position for the cutting operation. The handle 41 may either then be grasped by ones hand or preferably rested against a bar inserted into a boiler tube closely adjacent the one being cut so that the handle serves tohold the travelling nut against rotation. Power is then applied to the coupling shank 16 and the tool rotated, the casing 5 and core member .10, together with the traveller 30 rotat-' ing as a unit. The-threads '8 are preferably Y right hand threads and as the-tool is rotated the. travelling nut-35. and collar '37 re-.

main stationary, This holding?"of the-travelling nut 35 causes the nut, w-hentthel tool} is rotated in a right hand direct1on,*to'f be threaded p'or moved rearwardly along the tion 8 toward the shank 16. This rearward the external movement of the travelling nutv 35 imparts a rearward movement to' the traveller or feed bar 30 by reason of the coupling pin 44 This rearward movement of the traveller causes the cutter block 33 to be forced radially outwardly by reason of the inclined surface 32 and forces the cutting disc 56 into the boiler tube B as the tool is revolved. After the tube has been severed, the tool is rotated in an opposite or left'hand direction so that the travelling nut 35 moves forwardly along the casingand imparts forward longitudinal movement to the traveller 30 for retracting the cutting disc. The tool may then be withdrawn from the boiler tube.

By forming the tubulareasing 5 intwo sections 6 and 7 divided at the point 18, provides an arrangement whereby the tool may be easily and quickly assembled.

Thus it will be seen that a flue cutter of novel construction has been rovided wherein a very fine and positive a justment of the gauge or flue sheet'stop may be had by the external threads 8 extended for a substantial portion of the casing, and which threads also cooperate with the cutterfeed means for automatically projecting and retracting the cutter disc in a direction radially of the tool axis. 7

Changes in detailmay be made to the form of invention herein shown and described without departing from the s irit of the invention or the scope of the fol owing claims.

We claim:

1. In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular easing having an externally screw threaded portion, a core member non-rotatably mountedin the casing, a feed bar longitudinally movable in the core member, a

radially movable cutter movable upon longitudinally movableg-"in the core member, a cutter guided formovement radially of the casing by the feed bar, a gauge threaded upon threads, adjustment retaining meansifov c 'theggauge, a feed nut threaded lupongsaid external threads, a coupling sleeve fro'tataljly, connected to the feed nut, couplin m'eansf-betweenthe couplingJsleeveand fee .I;

bar, and means, ufgrjholdingg Lfeed' nut the casing, a feed batta ion-rotatable and lonagainst rotation during rotation of the cas- In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular casinghaving external screw threads, a core member-fixed in the casing, a feed bar non-rotatable and longitudinally movable in the 'core member, a cutter radially movablev by the feed bar, a gauge threaded on said screw threads, and cutter feed a means mcludmg a travelling nut threaded on said screw threads, a flanged collar fixed to the travelling nut and providing an annular groove, a coupling sleeve having a flange engaging in the roove and permitting relative rotation oft e nut and sleeve, a coupling pin carried by the sleeve and extending diametrically thru the casing and core member and having fixed attachment to sageway aligning with said slots, a feed bar non-rotatable and longitudinally movable in the core member and having one end projecting into said passageway, a cutter radially movable by the feed bar upon longitudinal movement thereof, a gauge threaded on said 'screw threads, a travelling nut threaded on said screw threads, a collar fixed to the travelling nutand having an inturned annularflange providing an annular groove, a coupling sleeve slidable along the casing and having an outturned annular flange engaging in said groove, a coupling pin secured at its ends in the sleeve and being connected midway its ends to the feed bar, said coupling pin being guided 'in said slots and extending thru said transverse passageway in the core, and a handle connected to the travelling nut to hold the same for feeding along the external screw threads upon rotation of the casing.

5. In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular 'casing having external screw threads, a core member fixed in the casing, a feed bar non-rotatable and longitudinally movable in the core member, a cutter radially movable by the feed bar, cutter feed means threaded on said screw threads and having connection with the feed bar for movpreventing circumferential movement of the shoe in the groove, a clamping screw for the shoe, a gauge member including a r1ng portion rotatable upon the gauge sleeve, retaining pins carried by the ring portion and engageable in the external groove of the gauge sleeve, and stop arms projecting from the ring portion. i

6. Ina flue cutter, the combination of a tubular casing having external screw threads and diametrically disposed slots, a core member fixed in the casing having a longitudinally formedchannel and a transverse passageway at the rearend of the channel, a feed bar longitudinally movable in the channel a and having a wedgeportion at its forward end, a cutter radially movable thru the core member and. casing and including a cutter block engageable by the wedge portion, a

gauge adjustably threadedvon the screw threads, a travelling nut threaded on the screw threads, a coupling sleeve encircling the casing and rotatably carried by the travelling nut, a coupling pin connected to the rear endof the .feed bar in said transverse passageway and extending thru said slots with its, ends connected to said coupling sleeve, and a handle carried by the travelling nut for holding the nut against rotation.

7. In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular casing including vfront and rear tubular casing sections, said rear tubular casing section having external screw threads, a cylindrical core member fitting in the tubular casing and retaining the sections in axial alignment, means connecting the sections against separation, a radially movable cutter movable thru the casing at the abutting ends of-the casing, sections, a feed bar longitudinally movable in the core member for radially moving the cutter, a flue sheet stop threaded on said screw threads, cutter feed means threaded on the screw threads and having coupling means connected with said feed bar, and a handle for holding the cutter feed means against rotation.

8. In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular casing including front and rear casing sections, said rear casing section being of greater length than the front casing section and having external screw threads, a cylindrical core member fitting in the casing and retaining the sections in axial alignment, means preventing rotation of the core member in the casing sections, locking extensions on the core member projecting into notches at the abutting ends of the casing sections, a guide way formed in the core member between the extensions, a cutter including a cutter block guided in the-guide way and a cutting disc aligning with the meeting edges of the casing sections, a feed bar longitudinally guided in the core member for imparting radial movement to the cutter, a gauge member threaded on the screw threads of the rear casing section and having forwardly extending stop arms, and cutter feed means including a traveller threaded on the screw threads of the rear casing section and coupling means rotatably carried by the traveller and secured to the feed bar, and a handle for holding the traveller against rotation.

9. In a flue cutter, the combination of a tubular casing including front and rear sections, a core member securing the sections in axial alignment, a feed bar longitudinally l0 movable in the core member, a cutter radially movable by the feed bar'at the abutting ends of the casing sections, a flue sheet stop adjustable on the rear casing section, cutter feed means for moving the feed bar longitudinally upon rotation of the casing,

and thrust rollers journaled in the core member to extend across the abutting ends of the casing sections, said rollers being held against displacement by the casing sections when assembled in abutting relation.

EDWARD W. CROSBY. CHESTER O. V. FANSHIER. 

